LABOUR UNITY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1410, 10 April 1912, Page 3

LABOUR UNITY.

BUSY DAY IN CONFERENCE.

DEFENCE ACT.

LABOUR'S AIM IN POLITICS,

The labour delegates now sitting in I conference spent another busy day yesterday, but most ,of their discussions were private. The I'liily Conference continued for an hour its discussion in committee upon tho constitution of the proposed "National Federation," and at ten o'clock gavo placo to the Labour Party Conferonce, which then sat for a brief period in open meetinif. Tho remainder of the forenoon was taken up by the Unity Conference, sitting in committee. It was proposed to admit the press during the afternoon proceedings, but a motion to that effect, which came up when delegates reassembled at 2 p.m., was negatived. Mr. W. H. Hampton, as president of the Dominion Executive of the Labour party, presided ever tho conference when it assembled, and was elected unopposed as chairman. Mr. J. W. Kay was appointed conference secretary. Mr. E. J. Carey moved:—"That the press bo excluded from the conference." Mr. R. Slater (Dunedin) objected, and nwved as an amendment:—"That the pres3 be admitted except when the conference is in committee." The amendment was carried. SOLDIERING. MUCH SAID; NOTHING DONE. The following letter was received by the conference from the National Peace and Anti-Militarist Council (Christchurch):— "The unrest prevailing everywhere on account of tho attempted militarisation of the Dominion through the operation of the Defence Act is doubtless apparent to all the members of your conference. My council is desirous that your decision on a matter of moment to the industrial population of New Zealand should include some findings on this vastly important matter, and I am, therefore, instructed to forward you the following resolutions, with a request that your conference will deal with them:— "(1) This conference proclaims its sincere sympathy with those youths and young men who, denying the right of the State to foren them info military service, have resisted the encroachment of their liberties, and, in consequence, have suffered fine or imprisonment. "(2) This conference declares that the socalled New Zealand Defence Act is not truly such, that it is not in the interests of peace, but tends towards war, in that, being designed with a view to the co-operation of the military forces of the Dominion with those of the Mother Country, in aggressive ns well as defensive warfare, it will be considered by tho peoples as a threat and a menace to them, and may lead to reprisals. That the onormous cost that would bo entailed in carrying out the present proposals is more than can bo borne by this community, and must place extra burdens on the workers. "This conference further declares that i no such extraordinary measures as aro embodied in the compulsory clauses aro necessary in this Dominion, and it calls for the immediate repeal of the Act. A deputation from my council will be waiting, and will be glad of an opportunity to say a few words on the lines of the resolutions should your conference bo able to receive them. Wo would, however, in any event, earnestly request your serious consideration of the matter, and we pray that you may see fit to endorse these, or similar resolutions, and so help on the great work we arc striving to forward. "On behalf of the National Peace Council, ( "L. P. Christie, "Secretary." Deal with it Now? The chairman of the conference (Mr. W. If. Hampton) remarked that time would not permit of the letter being read or discussed at that juncture. He suggested that consideration should bo deferred until a future sitting. Mr. G. Pv. Whiting (Christchurch) protested, and urged the conference to deal with the matter immediately. An antimilitarist deputation, he stated, was to wait upon the Miniser for Defence on the following day, and tho Labour Party Conference should express its view before the deputation interviewed the Minister. Mr. Whiting moved that the matter be dealt with forthwith, and that the discussion be taken in committee.

The motion was defeated by twelve votes to eleven. The first count showed ten for and ten against, but the chairman insisted that all in the room should vote, and the result of th; final division was as indicated.

Mr. E. J. Carey said that if the division irere coinp to lie so close he would fed compelled to call for a "card" division as provided in the constitution. The chairman said that cards had not yet been provided, so that he could not accede to the request. Jfr. 'Whiting said that he wanted a division taken of all the men' sitting round the table, and he wanted the names recorded in the minutes. Jlr. Slater said that the matter could come up apain. There was not time to discuss it then. Another delegate remarked that.no one. could be more opposed than himself to compulsory training, but he agTeed that time would not permit of its being , discussed there and then. MY. Whiting rc-iterated that he wished to have names and votes recorded. Mr. M'Laren said that it would be only fair to record also that some delegates had voted agaipt the motion on the ground of paucity nf time. The chairman ruled that under the circumstances it would bf misleading to record the division, and the conference agreed to proceed to the next business. Not in the Party's Name. Jfr. M'Cullough, at a later stage, expressed a hope that all delegates who believed, as he did, that the compulsory clauses of the Defence Act were iniquitous, would join with him in attending the deputation to the Minister for Defence on the following day. , Mr. .1. Smith" (Wellington) said that it should bs definitely understood that anyone who might go with Mr. M'Cullough did not go in the name of the .Labour party. The chairman and other delegates concurred. COUNCIL'S REPORT. MUST BE POLITICAL IDENTITY. Mr. M'Laren now moved that the annual it-port of the National Administrative Council of the labour pariy (summarised in Tun Dominion yesterday) should he received by the conference. It showed, ho churned, a pood record for Ihn period for which the National Executive had been in existence. The adoption of the repeat might be held over until the conference resumed after the next sitting ol the Unitv C).ifei'once. A balance-sheet appended to the report showed tluit the receipt.-; nf the National Administrative Council for llio past year totalled .£l4 I.is. 7d., and expenditure .£l7 55., leaving a bi.lance of .£27 10s. 7d. Mr. W. H. Hampton, speaking to the report, Miid that the political interests of Labour should on no account lie lost sight of. The existing party had been formed to safeguard the political interests of Labour. Jlo hoped (Iwit, wlirn tho J.alyiur party delegates took their seats at tile I'll ty Conference, they would see tluit as far as possible the objects for which the Labour party had been formed were thoroughly embodied in the new organisation. Tile Labour party might be swallowed up in a larger organisation, kill: the political identity of Labour Ciindidales airl of Labour members must be safeguarded and maintained. It was only bv an act of political force oiiNde of Parliament that this could be done. He hoped that t.h« unity pmposaU 'would be linally dealt with, with any amendment Mmt 'wonl.l tie acceptable to the workers ol the Dominion, nml lh;i' iiif-iidwcnts would be doslt. wilh in » manner satisfactory lo the political elemeut and to tin.- industrial clement—he was almost going til say "the conflicHii? rleiiienis," but there were no conllicting elements in the Labour party. Coufcroncos having been held witli different bodies, they found

that the wli()lc of the issues upon which they came into conllict werp not really matters of conflict at all, but mailers of lnisumlcrMiuliiif; ami misrepresentation. Hi; hoped- th.it the Vnity Conferenco would clear up these niisunderstaiuliiig.s. and that an organisation, common to all the workers and useful people in the Dominion, would be formed and would make, its power felt hy sweeping the lieform party, and the Liberal party into the backwash, and leave (hem there. "There aro men in both parties," said Mr. Hnrnpton, "who to Iμ in our party, but will not come into our party until they have been thoroughly beaten in the parties to which they now belong. Wα shall only get them with a united Labour party, whose candidates will be supported by tho whole "of the workers in each electorate." Present Platform Uoheld. Mr. Tj. ,T. Carey remarked that delegates generally seemed to agree in endorsing the political platform of the present Labour party. No remit had been sent in suggesting any departure from that platform. JIo moved:—"That it bo an instruction to tho delegates from the Labour Party Conference to insist on tho Unity Conference confirming, as nearly a.9 possible, to the platform of the Labour party." Mr. M'Laren said that the members of tho Labour party should not lose sight of the fact that they had spent a considerable period in formulating a definite statement of its position in politics. This must not be lost. It would be a very regrettable thing if they allowed any watering down or if they allowed the position of absolute political independence for Labour to be in any way covered up. They did not want to see a Liberal-Labour party or a Ueforrn-Labour party, or any similar kind of hotch-potch mixture. As one who had occupied tho position of a Labour member in the House when it was not easy to do so, he was absolutely convinced that the line taken bv Labour must be one of absolute independence from the other political parties o£ tho country. Mr. Carey's motion was carried unanimously. It was agreed, on the suggestion of Mr. Slater, to recommend the unity Conference to adopt the designation "United Labour Party of Now Zealand" for any party that might bo established. The conference now adjourned, the chairman undertaking to call it together again as soon ns tho Unity Conference had concluded its deliberations. OTHER GATHERINGS. THE PLUMBERS' CONFERENCE. Tho Dominion Conference of Plumbers continued its sittings at the Trades Hall yesterday. The proceedings were again in committee. It is probable that tho conference will conclude to-day, and the result of tho deliberations may then be announced. Sawmill and Timber Workers, A conference of the Federated Sawmill and Timber Workers of New Zealand opened at the Trades Hall yesterday. Mr. K. Phelan, of Auckland, was elected president, and Mr. J. Alsweiler, of Southland, secretary. The annual report stated that the executive thought the matter of organisation and the making of a Dominion award should be further considered by tho conference, especially as Auckland was not represented last year.- The conference should also carefully consider the question of federation.

The report and balance-sheet were adopted. It was decided that the sitting hours of the conference be from 9.30 a.m. to noon, and from 1.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. A deputation from the "National Peace and Anti-Military Council waited on the conference and exnressed its views on compulsory (raining. It was decided that consideration of the matters referred to by the deputation should be left until this morninpr. Tho Federation of Labour wrote and extended greotiiißS to the conference. Tho letter asked if tho president of tho federation might attend and deliver an address. It was agr»ed to hear tho president at 10 o'clock this morning. Consideration of Professor Mills s unity scheme is to be held over until the conference has heard from the Federation of Labour. A remit from Auckland—"That the Government be urged to sell thf> Crown forests at a greater rate than hitherto"— did not mept with general support. A majority of delegates considered that the establishment of State sawmills was more desirable. After some discussion the remit was withdrawn.

Tho mipstion of obtaining a Dominion award caused a good deal of discussion. Eventually the chairman expressed the opinion that a legal and advisory committee, with representatives from each centre, should be set up to simnlify matters before approaching the Court. It would be the dr.tv of each union to finance that committee, and the stronger unions should appoint a Dominion organiser. It was decided to set up an advisory committee of throe to advifo the unions to take cases before the Arbitration Court if necessary, and where occasion rpnuirod to act as assessor* on the Conciliation Council. Messrs. F. J. Lyons, E. Phelan, and J. .O'Byrno wore appointed to thn committee.

The conference reaffirmed the princinle of a 44-hour week for all workers. Remits from different centres sujrposted that tho federation should use stringfiit measures to urge the Government to increase tho import duty on all timber imported under the size of 13 x 12 or irs equivalent, with a special duty on all dressed or manufactured timber imported. After this matter had been fully discussed, a motion wa? carried urp-jng- the Government to take steps in the direction sutrgested. On the motion of tho South Canterbury delegates it was resolved that the Government bo asked to provide some method more speedy than the present for making an agreement into an award.

Immediate stens are to be taken to pronerly organise the timber industry of the Dominion, and a committee was , set up to consider the best means to that end. . Other matters of varying importance were also considered.